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Series' Split Films

Jenny Kim |
April 26, 2014 | 11:21 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Twitter @mistermetaphor
Twitter @mistermetaphor

With the popularity of film franchises growing immensely, more and more film series are breaking through the film industry and are becoming ubiquitous through merchandise, soundtracks, marketing. 

Although it’s great that producers are trying to maximize profits by making another film, sometimes an extra two hour length film is unnecessary. What ever happened to effective storytelling? As a moviegoer, it tends to get frustrating not knowing how the film will turn out for another year or so. 

These sagas, trilogies, and series seem to bring Hollywood success and lucrative business through longevity, perhaps by never letting the fandom die down.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2

There is no other series that has garnered this much attention and such an expansive fandom. The Harry Potter films, adapted from the book series by J.K. Rowling, have been in the spotlight ever since it’s first release in 2001 and have revolutionized the film franchise as it set precedent for many film series to follow. The immense success with the Harry Potter film series, running over a span of 10 years, probably influenced producers to split the final movie into two parts — perhaps to give die-hard fans another film to cherish and hold on to, but also to probably milk the success of the franchise by producing another film. 

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 and 2

Since the Harry Potter films, The Twilight Saga influenced the film and TV industry with its passionate fandom and intimate fantasy — further instigating the development of shows such as “Teen Wolf” and “Vampire Diaries”, and even inspiring the book and upcoming film “Fifty Shades of Grey.” After experiencing incredible box office success and infiltrating every scene of the public eye, filmmakers and producers decided to split the last novel “Breaking Dawn” into two parts…probably so fans could get some more of Bella and Edward.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and 2

Katniss Everdeen volunteers at tribute for another two films of the Hunger Games series. The final film in the series, “Mockingjay” has been decided to split into two parts, yet again, as Katniss and Peeta fight for the revolution against the District. With Jennifer Lawrence becoming increasingly popular as the minutes go by (how can you not love her), how will she have the time to film another two movies? Considering that these were the films that shot her to stardom overnight, the Hunger Games series has definitely accumulated a serious fandom and a lucrative profit.

The Hobbit Series

With Peter Jackson directing this film series, which explains the story of Bilbo Baggins before Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, these three films have actually been adapted from one novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. It seems as if Jackson and the crew have not been able to let their Lord of the Rings days go! Just yesterday, Jackson announced that he renamed the final film of the series from “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” to “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”, which has been planned for a winter release later this year.

Allegiant Part 1 and 2

Not too long after the release of the first movie of the Divergent series, producers announced that they will be splitting the Allegiant film into two parts. Perhaps they knew that this series would garner major attention considering the trends and standards which have been set from prior film series, like the ones mentioned above. With Shailene Woodley playing the part of the rebellious Beatrice Prior, we can imagine her as the next JLaw

Reach Staff Reporter Jenny Kim here.



 

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